Folding machine



' Oct. 30, 1928.

E. D. RADER FOLDING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 24, 1925 E. D. RADER FOLDING MACHINE Filed Nov. 24, 1925 INVENTOR A TTOR1 Oct. 30, 1 928.

E. D. RADER FOLDING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 24, 1925 ATTORNEYS Oct. 30; 1928."

E. D. RADER FOLDING MACHINE Filed Nov. 24, 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR ATTOR NEYS 7 Oct. 30, 1928.

. E. D. RADER FOLDING MACHINE Filed Nov. 24, 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR mm ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 30, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT 'oFFIcE.

EARL D. RADER, OF BEDFORD TOWNSHIP, WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NEW YORK, AS-

SIGNOB T DEXTER IfOLDER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A GORPOBATION OF NEW YORK.

FOLDING MACHINE.

Application filed November 24,1325. Serial No. 71,167. I

This invention relates to folders for signatures of various kinds and sizes. The object of the invention is to provide a construction whereby, there may be performed on the well-known jobbing folder all the operations and folds that now require the standard jobber as well as the standard catalogue folder.

For a number of years the art has provided a series of j'obbing folders of various sizes employing feeding tapes and reciprocating folding knives and also a similar line of catalogue folders to handle the requirements ofthe trade. A jobbing folder may be generally identified as one that folds four successive right angle folds; Whereas the catalogue folder is one in which a sheet of paper is first folded With two parallel folds thereafter followed by one or more right angle folds. The jobbing type of folder is utilized to produce signatures of varying numbers of pages with an upright binding edge along the longer dimension whereas the catalogue folder is utilized to produce signatures of varying numbers of pages of like size in oblong shape where the binding edge is along the shorter dimension. A number of different sizes of jobbing folders are provided to meet the requirements of the trade, and the same number of corresponding catalogue folders are also provided. Most of the work of the binderies may be performed on the jobbing folders, and the line of catalogue folders is provided to do a small percentage of the requirements of the trade.

The catalogue folder of any given size is more expensive than its corresponding job-' bing folder by from A; to each catalogue folder requires more floor space than-its corresponding jobbing folder; and generally the construction and operation of the catalogue folder is such as to render its purchase and maintenance a source of expense to the trade, in most cases out of proportion to the work that is done thereon.

Notwithstanding the fact that only a small percentage of the work of folding is done on these catalogue folders, and notwithstanding the fact that they are more expensive in their original cost and upkeep than the jobbing folders, binderies have nevertheless been forced to maintain the same in order to meet the varied requirements of their customers, or to do the catalogue folding by hand.-

One of the objects that is. accomplished by the present invention is the entire elimination of the whole line of catalogue folders that has for so many years been on the market in association with their corresponding jabbing folders; and this object is attained. by comjects the sheet to the two parallel folds that characterizesthe catalogue work. 3 This loop folding mechahism is so associated with the first fold mechanism of the jobber that its use may be readily and quickly dispensed. with whenever it is desired to. do j obbingwork'and not catalogue work. i

' The suppression of the entire line of expensive catalogue folders results in striking economies that start in the factory where the folders are built and ends with the priiited and folded matter delivered to the customer. All the pages and folds that heretofore required a jobbing folder and its corresponding catalogue folder are nowsecured by the addition to the standard jobbing folder of the mechanism in question, and all the economies that follow the obsoleting of a line of machines both from the manufacturing standpoint and from the standpoint of the printer and binder are secured.

On certain all-loop folders now on the market, it is possible to do both jobbing and catalogue work, but this is effected entirely by the use of a series of loop mechanisms. This necessarily has limited the size of sheets that can be handled by such a folder, and the speed with which the folding can be effected. The. output of these machines is necessarily lim ited because of the fact that the feeding and folding of the sheet is effected only atthe surface speed of'the folding rollers associated with the several loopers; and it is not profitable on such machines to handle sheets larger than approximately 22" x 28".

As herein illustrated, the present invention is associated with the standard jobber employing the usual tapes and folding knives in association withfolding rollers whereby a high speed of output is maintained, and consists in addition to such mechanism of a loop -fold device associated with the first fold mechanism of the jobber and so arranged that with by a simple adjustment, thus entirely obsoleting the whole line of catalogue folders.

lVhile, for the purpose of adapting a jobbing folder to also perform the work of a catalogue folder, any desired construction of looper mechanism may be associated with the first-fold knife, I prefer to employ a particular and novel construction of looper mechanism which has decided advantages in this particular combination as well as in any other relation where a looper may be desired. In this particular aspect of the inventive idea, this looper mechanism is constructed so that the sheet will readily and easily enter the same without buckling that is to say, without having waves or undulations formed therein-to the end that premature folding is prevented and the loop is formed accurately, rapidly and with the maximum of efficiency. Heretofore, in order to suppress the forming of waves or undulations in the sheet as it entered the looper mechanism, it has been customary to provide means for changing the spacing of the grid members of the looper, depending upon the particular weight, texture and characteristics of the paper stock being handled. The formation of the waves or undulations in the sheets as they enter the grid are effected by the friction of the forward portion of the sheet with the grid surfaces with which it contacts, also the static electricity generated under certain climatic conditions; and the larger the sheet the more intensified is the waving or undulations formed in the sheet, and the tendency toward premature folding.

lVith these particular conditions in mind, the improved looper mechanism, instead of having its grid members straight and parallel, has its lower grid members struck on a curve so that the sheet entering the looper mechanism at high speed will follow the configuration of said curved grid members instead of tending to fill up the space between the straight parallel grid members of the prior art. Indeed, it has been found that the upper members that are associated with the lower curved grid members may be removed and looping effected simply by the use of the lower curved grid members. While it is true, that the sheet would normally encounter more frictional surface with a curved grid member than with a straight one, the fact that the sheet will follow accurately and definitely the surface of the curved grid member more than compensates for this condition. It has been found that, after the advancing edge of the sheet has been introduced into the curved grid members and its path of movement established, a substantial extent f grid surface can be removed, thus eliminating the frictional effect which this would have exercised on the sheet; and in this aspect the invention resides in the progressive decreasing of the frictional surfaces of the grid against which the sheet engages after it enters the same.

A further object of the invention is to provide a grid construction made up of separable unit elements which can be assembled in any desired relation or number to meet the particular operating conditions or the particular function to be subserved by the looper. In other words, if it is found that, under any particular climatic or other conditions, premature folding is developing by reason of an excess of friction surface, it is possible by the present invention to bodily and readily remove a number of the grid members in order to eliminate the excess friction surface, so that the sheet can be fed into the looper without premature folding and with the minimum of friction surface under any condition that may arise; and, on the other hand, if it is found that the sheet is entering the looper mechanism too freely so that the front edge is being injured by impact against the stop, the friction surface of the looper can be readily increased by the addition of one or more grid members to compensate for this condition. In this aspect of the inventive idea, I provide individual grid elements that are adapted to be mounted and adjusted in any desired position on the supporting rods.

This individual construction of grid members simplifies the construction aml assembly of looper mechanisms and involves strik ing economies both from the standpoint of the manufacturer and the user. From the manufacturers standpoint it is only necessary to produce one standard size grid member, and from the users standpoint. any size looper mechanism may be readily built up in situ to meet any desired condition. Further, by the use of this unit construction, it is possible to use the same on any size of folder, it being unnecessary to manufacture different sizes of loopers for different widths of folding machines.

A further objectof the invention is to provide a deflecting mechanism which is adapted to be moved into or out of operative relation dependent upon whether the looper mechanism is to be used r not. Such deflector mechanism, according to the present invention, is made up of a series of deflecting units that may be independently assembled and which, when assembled, are mounted in fixed relation with respect to the grid members. Further, said deflecting members may be moved to operative or inoperative position by a simple manual adjustment without disassembling or altering the construction or operation of any of the associated parts.

A further object of the invention is to associate the folding rollers between which the sheet is introduced by the first-fold knife in such a relation that the sheet will readily and spacing between the rollers being somewhat less than the thickness of the paper passing therebetween. This adjustment of the rollers with the space therebetween prevents marring of the stock, and also insures the ready and efiicient folding of the same. The rollers are yieldingly supported in the desired position of adjustment, it being found eficient i for this purpose to associate yieldable springs with one of the rollers. Heretofore, one of the difficulties associated with the maintenance of the rollers in a definite and fixed relationship has been a forced deflection of the rollers which would not permit building machinesin sizes-greater than where the moment of deflection became a factor that could not be overcome.

A further-feature of the invention is the arrangement of the first-fold rollers and the roller that receives the folded sheet from the looper with their axes arranged at. an acute angle. The arrangement of the axes of these three rollers at an acute angle is found to be preferable for the reason that the sheet as it comes from the looper traverses a shorter distance before it passes under the control of said third roller. Further, when the deflector mechanism is preventing the sheet from entera ing the looper, the course of the deflection from the first-fold rollers to said third-folding roller is less abrupt, and the sheet passes more quickly from the bite of the first-fold rollers to the bite of the third-folding roller and with greater folder efficiency. This is particularly desirable because, after leaving the bite 'of the third-folding roller, the operation of perforation takes place, and, as i this is an operation requiring the greatest of accuracy, the better the conditions of control between the bites of the first pair of folding rollers and the third-folding roller, the more accurately the pe'rforator will perform its function. A further object of the invention is the provision of a perforator that is readily accessible to the operator and that can be readily adjusted lengthwise of the roller with which it is associated. Heretofore, the perforator has been arranged to cooperate with the under surface of the roller with which it .is associated, and the matter'of replacing the perforator blades and of adjusting the perforator transversely of the machine has required considerable labor and loss of time. By positioning the perforator above its associated roller and easily accessible, these disadvantages are avoided. Heretofore, the perforator has been associated with the under sur faceof one of the first-fold rollers, the score line has been of uncertain character, and porfold knife, the side with these projections was engaged by the knife. The fold thus made lacked sharpness and clear definition. In view of the fact that the subsequent folding of the sheet is affected by the accuracy with which the second fold along the score line is effected, the importance of this second fold being made in a sharp and accurate manner is at once manifest. By the present constructi on in which the perforato'r is arranged above its associated roller, the perforation is made downwardly instead of upwardly so that the she'etis fed under the second-fold knife with the projections on the under side of the sheet and away from the knife, and the knife accordingly engages a smooth uniform surface with improved folding results.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating one embodiment of the inventive idea, and wherein Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating'the improved folder;

Fig. 2 is a plan View of the same;

Fig. 2 is a detail of certain adjusting mechanisms for timing the cam shaft dependent upon whether the loop mechanism is to be used or not;

- Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view showing the loop mechanism in elevation in associa- Eion with the first-fold mechanism of the job- Fig. 4 is a detail showing the loop mechanism in its inoperative position; I

Fig. 5 is a perspective view'of the looper device and its associated mechanism; I

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective of adjusting means when small sheets are to be folded;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail showing, the means that control the position of the deflectors that prevent the entry ofthe signature into the loop fold mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a detail perspective showing the means for manually operatingthe deflectors;

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view indicatingthe progress of a sheet from the pile through the first fold mechanism, the loop fold mechanism, and succeeding right angle fold mechi anisms; and

Fig. 10 is a detail of the grid construction.

Referring to the drawings. wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts, 20 indicates a pile of sheets from which the sheets are successively fed to a folding mechanism comprising essentially a blade 21 and rollers 22 and 23. The sheet is folded by the blade 21 and the folded edge of the same passes between the rollers 22 and 23 and into the loop fold mechanism 24. to the. position indicated at Qnd of Fig. 9. It is noted at this point that by the use of a knife at the first-fold the sheet is folded in one-half the time that would be required if the first-fold were made by a loop folder; because with the loop folder the entire sheet is fed into the folding rollers and folded at the surface speed of the rollers, whereas with the knife fold the sheet is positioned under the blade at tape speed (which is greater than the surface speed of the folding rollers) and when the knife introduces it into the folding rollers, the sheet being folded on itself at a center line, the linear extent of the sheet engaged by the folding rollers is only half of that in the looper.

hen the folded edge of the sheet engages stops 25, the signature is buckled or looped adjacent the rollers and 23, a second fold is at once made as theresult of this buckling or looping, this fold passing between the roll or 23 and a roller 26. This position of the signature is illustrated at 3rd in Fig. 9. The movement of the signature is indicated by the arrows. After the signature has passed between the rollers 23 and 26, it has received two parallel folds. The first rightangle foid is secured by blade 27 forcing the signatures between rollers 28 and 29 at the 4th position. After the signature has passed between the rollers 28 and 29, it is a 16 page catalogue fold signature and may be delivered at this point. However, it may be subject to other folds if desired, and a further right-angle fold may be secured through means of the blade 30 forcing the signature between the rollers 31 and 32 at 5th. The signature may be delivered at this 5th position if desired as a 32 page folded signature or it may be subject to another right-angle fold by blade 33 and rollers 34 and 35 at 6th; or instead of receiving the right-angle fold at the 6th position it may receive a further parallel fold at the. 7th position through means of the blade 36 and rollers 37 and 38. Other folds could be made by other folding means.

This general description of the progress of the signatures will indicate to those skilled in the art the great advantages of the improved jobbing folder by which all of the folds heretofore made on the catalogue folder are secured.

The sheets of the pile 20 are carried beneath the knife 21 by any suitable means as b a plurality of tapes of which two are shown in Fig. 1 at 39 and 40. These tapes pass around and are driven from a feed roller ll which is driven from a shaft 4? by means of gears 43. 4-4 and 45, the gear 43 being mounted on shaft 42. the gear 45 being mounted on feed roller shafr 41. and the gear 44 being an intermediate id er. The shaft 42 is dri yen from the motor 4-6 through any snital=le means as a belt 47 passing around pulley H on the shaft The shaft 42 carries a pinion 49 adjacent the pulley 48, which pinion 49 meshes with an idler gear 50 mounted on a stub shaft, which gear 50 in turn meshes with a gear 51 mounted on a two-part cam shaft 52, 52 (Fig. 2). This cam shaft 52, 52 carries various cams that operate various knives, delivery boxes, side registering mechanisms, drop rollers, slowdowns and various mechanisms forming part of the construction of the standard jobbing folder. The cam that operates the knife 21 for making the first fold is shown at on shaft 52, said cam operating through arm 54, shaft and arms 56, which latter carry the knife :21, to raise and lower the latter.

The folding rollers 22 and 2 have their shafts provided with gears 57 and 58, the shaft on which the gear 58 is mounted being indicated at 58'. Carried by this shaft is a gear 59 that meshes with a gear 60 on shaft til around which pass the tapes 62, which deliver the sheets from the loop fold mecha nism to the third position. The shaft 58' also carries on its end adjacent the gear 58 a bevel gear 60 that meshes with a similar bevel gear 61 mounted on a shaft 62. This shaft 6'2 earries a gear 63 adjacent the gear 44, and this gear 63 meshes with a gear 64 carried by drive shaft Inasmuch as the gear 58 drives the gear 57 through the connections indicated, the roller 23 will rotate in a clockwise direction while roller 22 will rotate in a counter-clockwise direction as shown in Fig. 1.

After the signature has secured its first fold by means of knife 21 and rollers 22 and 23, the folded sheet passes into the loop fold mechanism.

This loop fold mechanism which has been generally indicated by the reference numeral 24 is composed of a plurality of grids. the upper grids being indicated by the reference numeral 65 and the lower grids by the reference numeral 66. The sheet folded once passes between the upper and lower grids. The upper grids are suspended at one end from a shaft 67 that is threaded through openings in the ends of said grids, and on which the grids are secured by set-screws 68. The shaft 67 is carried by a lower shaft 69 which passes through the corresponding ends of the lower set of grids 66. The connection between the shafts 67 and 69 is through a pair of screws 70 and 71 (Figs. 2 and 3) by which screws the shaft 67 may be adjusted toward and from the shaft 69. The sha ft (39 is mounted on the side frames 72 and 73 of the folder and is secured in place by a pair of screws 74 and 75.

The mounting of the front end of the lower set of grids is shown in Figs. 3 and 7. A shaft 76 on which is mounted the front end of each of the bottom grids is secured to a pair of brackets 77 (one of which is shown upper series of grids, and this shaft is adslots 96 with justable with relation to shaft 76 by means of ed edge of the sheet engages and which thus ,Stea

act to stop the further movenientoft-he sheet" 3 looped sheet passes through the rollers 23 and in Fig. 7) by means of suitable screws 78. This bracket 77 is secured to the frame of the machine by means of screws 79. A shaft 80 is'threaded through the forward ends of the a pair of screws 81, one of which is provided at each end of said shaft, and which screws are screwedinto shaft 76.

When it is desired to adjust the upper set of grids 65- with respect to'the lower set of grids 66, bolt 82 and-lock-nut 83 '(Fig. 3) are manipulated, as is also the case with respect to bolt 84 and lock-nut 85. The same adjustment is effected on the'other side.

Means are provided in association with the upper grid 65 to determine the point at which the loop or fold in the sheet shall be efl'ectedi and this means consists generally'of the adjustable gauge 86 that is secured to the upper grids in any suitable manner as by thumb screws 87 The grids are providedwith lips or flanges around which projects member 88 on the gauge 86, so that the gauge is supported in any desired position. It will be understood that the thumb screw 87 and the member88 are provided on each end of the gauge. Projecting downwardly from the gauge 86 F are stops 89 (Fig. 5) against which the foldinto the loop fold mechanism -{After the folded edge of the sheet engages] the stops 89, the sheet is buckled or 'loopedfand the 26 (Fig. 9) as illustrated at the 3rd position.

The roller 26 is mounted on'a shaft that is provided with a gear 90 (Fig. 1) that meshes with and is driven from gear 58; and inas much as the'roller 26 will thus be driven in an anti-clockwise direction, whereas the .roller 23 is driven in a clockwise direction,

. the sheet with its two narallel folds will be fed forward toward the knife 27 shown in Fi 9.

I l f it is desired to utilize the machine for job work, that is to say for the making of a plurality of successive right-angle folds, the use of the loop fold mechanism will be discontinued. This issreadilyefiected by means of a deflecting mechanism mounted on a shaft ed in Fig. 4, will prevent the sheet from enshaft 52. The

91 and comprising a series of deflector plates 92 which, when moved to the position indicate tering the loop fold mechanism and-will cause "nesses of paper and the like, and to this end 93 (Fig. 8) mounted on a shaft 94 and con nected thereto at 95. This shaft is suitably supported in the frame of the machine. The hand-wheel 93 is provided with a pair of either of which engages an arm 97 pivoted at 97 against which'bears a spring 98, to hold the shaft 94 and to lock the deflectors in their operative or inoperative position. The deflector plates 92 are guided in their movement to; and supported in the desired position by means of a guide or master plate 102 (Fig. 7) provided with an inclined slot 102 with which engages a pin 101 carried by an arm 101 mounted on shaft 91. master plate 102 is secured to the bracket 77.

It has been found desirable to adjust the roller 26 with'respect to cooperating roller 23 in order to compensate for varying thickthe roller box 105 ,at each end'of the roller 26 is provided with a depending pin 106 that passes loosely through an ope'mng l07 in the This rame of the machine at eaclrend of the roller 26. A spring 108 reacts against a washer 109 at one end and against the bracket 77 at its other end. An adjusting nut 109 and locknut 109". are provided on each pin 106, and manipulation of the same moves the roller 26- toWard or from the roller 23. In order to d; the movements of the roller 26 toward and rom the'roller 23, the shaft on which the roller 26 is mounted is supported in arms 110,.which latter are pivoted around shaft It will be understood that, when the folder is used for j obbing work, that is to say when the sheet is prevented from entering into the loop fold mechanism, the several knives, drop rollers, side guides, slowdowns, and all operating parts should and will be in a definite timed relation. When the folder is to be used for catalogue work, that is to say when the sheet is to enter the looper, the timed relation of the parts will be different. The tl'lflIlgB in timing involves all of the mechanism in connection with the first fold which includes the drop rollers 112 for feeding the the same to move between rollers 23 and 26%, is indicated at 113%, the cam for the side and in the direction indicated by the arrow. register is indicated at 114 and the cam for In Fig. 3 the deflector plates are shown in the position which they occupy when the machine is being used as a catalogue folder and when the sheets are to be operated on by the loop fold mechanism. The deflectors are moved fror'n the position illustrated in Fig. 4 to that illustrated in Fig. 3 by means of a hand-wheel the first-fold knife as heretofore stated is indicated at F"). The drop rollers' 112 are mounted on shaft 115. that carries an arm 116, the free end of which is connected to a strap 117 that carries a roller 118 in engagement with cam 112. The slowdown fingers 113 are mounted on a shaft 119 that carries an arm 120, the free end of which is connected to a strap 121 that carries a roller 122 in engagement with cam 113. The side registering mechanism 114 is operated from cam 114- through connection 123.

As heretofore stated, the cam shaft of the machine is composed of two parts 52 and 52, and the cams just referred to are mounted on the part 52. In order to properly time the operation of these cams when the loop fold mechanism is used, an adjusting mechanism is preferably provided between the two parts 52 and 52 of the cam shaft. This mechanism (Fig. 2) comprises a. pair of disks 125 and 126, the former being pinned to shaft and the latter to shaft 52. The disk 125 is provided with a tapped hole 127 and the disk 126 with an elongated slot 128. Screw 129 passes through the slot 128 and into the tapped hole 127 and acts to secure the disks 125 and 126 in any desired angularly adjusted position with respect to each other. The shaft 52 projects through the disk 125 and into a recess 130 in the disk 126, in order to prevent the disks from getting out of alinement.

When it is desired to adjust the machine to compensate for the presence of the loop fold mechanism, the screw 129 is loosened. The machine is then turned over by hand through means of the hand-wheel 131 or 131 which operates to rotate the cam shaft 52 through the gears 49, and 51. It will be appreciated that. when the shaft 52 is rotated under these conditions, the cam shaft 52 and cams 53, 112 113 and 114 thereon will remain stationary. The shafts 52 and 52 are then secured in their adjusted position by screw 129 and disks 125 and 126. The subsequent operation of the parts of the machine controlled by said cams will be retarded over what they were previously when the machine was being operated as a obbing folder. It is to be understood, however, that the machine can be operated to produce jobbing or catalogue work without using this timing mechanism.

If it is desired to do catalogue work on sheets that are too small to be handled by the operation of the usual gauge 86, a plurality of gauge fingers 132 are provided. These fingers are mounted on the gauge 86 in any suitable manner (Fig. 6) as by clipping the same over the gauge 86 by means of an extension 134. The front ends of the gauge fingers 132 are provided with upturned faces 135 that act as the stops for the folded etlges of the sheet entering the loop fold mechanism.

Vhile. for the purpose of adapt ng the jobbing folder to the performance of work heretofore done on'the catalogue folder, any suitable form of looper mechanism may be employed, I have found that superior results are obtained by the use of the novel construction of looper herein illustrated and somewhat generally described heretofore. I, however,

desire to point out certain additional features of the construction and operation of the loopcr mechanism that have not been particularly specified.

As will be more particularly seen in Figs. 2, 3 and 5, the grid members 65 and (56 are curved for the purpose herein set forth, and the several grid members 65 and (36 are assembled and mounted and secured on the shafts 67, 69, 76 and 90 in any desired position of relative adjustment. It will be readily undertsood to those skilled in the art that any number of grid members either of the lower units (S6 or of the upper units may be readily assembled, the number of incmbcrs on the same depending upon the particular work to be performed, and the particular' conditions that are encountered. As will appear more clearly in Fig. 2, a number of the lower grid members 66 may be made shorter, as indicated at 66, in order to cut down the amount of frictional surface which the sheet encounters in the looper. It is pointed out in this connection, however, that in the preferred embodiment all of the upper grid members (35 are preferably of a length equal to that of the grid members 66, onlythe lower members 66 being preferably of shorter extent than the companion lower members (50. The particular construction of the lower grid members 66 or (36 will be better understood by reference to Fig. 10, in which the sheet-engaging surface, at the point where the sheet enters the grid members, is indicated at 66 with the width of the sheet-engaging surface progressively decreasing rearwardly of the grid member to a point where it is, at 66", the rib or bottom of an inverted T member. This construction is also clearly shown in Fig. 5. The corresponding surfaces of the upper grid members are preferably likewise progressively decreased in their sheet-engaging surfaces.

The short lower members 66 are mounted on the shaft 76, and the upper and lower members on shaft (57, 69, 76 and 80, and as heretofore stated, the individual and separable deflecting elements 92 are mounted on the shaft 91. It will accordingly be understood that a looper of any desired size and with any desired spacing of the elements, depending upon the conditions encountered and the work to be performed. may be built up readily by threading the grid members 65, 66, 06 and the deflectors 92 on their respective shafts, and thereafter securing the grid members and the deflectors in any desired posi' tion of adjustment by the means heretofore dsceribed.

The first-fold rollers 22 and 23 are spaced apart. as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4 and are yieldingly held in this spaced position, which normally is slightly less than the thickness of the paper passing between said rollers.

III)

LS shown, particularly in'Fig. 8, the roller 22 has associated therewith at each end thereof a coil spring 140, through which passes a pin 141. The spring 140 at one end engages the bearing in which the shaft of the roller '22 is mounted, and at its other end engages a bracket 142 secured to the frame of the machine. On the side of said bracket 142, opposite to that which is engaged by the spring 140, is an adjusting nut 143 and a lock-nut 144 by which the roller 22 is adjusted with great accuracy with relation to roller 23, and is thereafter secured in this adjusted position, so that the rollers 22 and 23 cannot approach each other closer than this position of adjustment, though roller 22 may yield with respect to roller 23 by reason of the presence of spring 140, as will be understood.

Roller 26 is likewise held in spaced relation to roller 23, the spacing being somewhat less than the thickness of the folded sheet which passes between the rollers 23 and 26.

A similar adjustment at 109' and 109" in-- sures the limits of the approach of roller 26 to the roller 23, but the spring 108 will permit the roller 26 to yield with respect to the roller 23 when a folded sheet passes between the same.

As will be seen particularly from Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the tapes 62' pass around'the roller 61', which roller, in the preferred embodiment as herein shown, has its axis in substantially the same horizontal plane that passes through the axis of the roller 26. Accordingly, the tapes 62 can be readily adjusted. This roller 61 is provided with a plurality of slots 133 with which the perforator 134 cooperates. This perforator is of the usual construction, being provided with a series of removable blades 135, and said perfo-rator is mounted on a shaft 136 arranged above said roller 61. It is accordingly readily accessible and easilyadjustable axially in order that the blades 135 may engage with anyone of the slots 133, and in order that the blades 135 may be readily removed and replaced, the slots 133 cleaned out, and principally in order that the rough irregular projections may be on the under side of the sheet away from the second folding.

knife.

It will be understood that the invention, with respect to the first feature under discussion, relates particularly to the control of the first two folds of the sheet which determines whether catalogue or jobbing work is to be done by using either the loop fold mechanism for making the first two folds parallel or by disconnecting the loop fold mechanism so that the first two folds are right-angle folds; and it will accordingly be unnecessary to fur ther describe the folding operations on the si nature.

RVliile, for the purpose of illustration, one

expression of the inventive idea has been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but that the inventive concept is susceptible of various mechanical expressions within the limits of the appended claims, the invention in the first aspect discussed havingutility on all knife folders on which the first two folds are required to be parallel followed by another fold or folds; and the novel con- 7 struction of looper mechanism, the arrangement of the folding rollers, the'perforator, etc., having a broad range of usefulness in various machines.

What is claimed is 1. In combination, a reciprocatory folding blade, means for feeding and positioning successive sheets under said blade, a looper ati tachment positioned adjacent said first-fold mechanism and receiving the signature therefrom and forming a second parallel fold therein, means for preventing the folded sheet from being operated on by said looper mechanism, and a third folding mechanism receiving the sheet from said looper mechanism and giving the same a third fold.

2. In a folder, the combination of a'plurality of right angle folding mechanisms employing reciprocating knives and a loop folding device receiving the folded sheet from the first folding mechanism whereby the first two folds are parallel to each other.

3. In a folder, a plurality of right angle knife folder mechanisms, the combination of a looper attachment positoned adjacent the first knife folder and receiving the signature therefrom, and means controlling said looper attachment whereby the product is folded with folds at right angles to each other or with the first two folds parallel. i

4. In a folder, the combination of a first fold reciprocating knife and a pair of folding rollers, a third roller associated with one of said rollers, a grid positioned adjacent said'third roller to loop the sheet-to effect a parallel fold, and a second knife folder mechanism receiving said signature from said looper mechanism and making a fold at right angles to said parallel folds.

5. In a folder, the combination of a first fold reciprocating knife and a pair of folding rollers, a third roller associated with one of said rollers, a grid positioned adjacent said third roller to loop the sheet to effect a parallel fold, and a second knife folder mechanism receiving said signature from said looper mechanism, making a fold at right angles to said parallel folds, and a deflector for preventing the sheet from entering the grid.

6. In a folder, the combination of knife and loop foldmechanisms for performing jobbing and catalogue work comprising a knife'folder, a looper mechanism associated therewith for making a parallel fold, a knife knife folder,

mechanism and receiving the signature therefrom, and means for rendering said looper mechanism inoperative.

7. In a folder, the combination of knife and loop fold mechanisms for performing jobbing and catalogue work comprising a knife folder. a looper mechanism associated therewith for making a parallel fold, a knife folder arranged at right angles to the looper mechanism and receiving the signature therefrom, and a. deflector for rendering said looper mechanism inoperative.

S. In a folder, the combination of knife and loop fold mechanisms for performing jobbing and catalogue work comprising a knife folder, a looper mechanism associated therewith for making a parallel fold, and a knife folder arranged at right angles to the looper mechanism and receiving the signature there from.

9. In a folder, the combination of a first fold reciprocating knife and a pair of folding rollers, a third roller associated with one of said rollers, a grid positioned adjacent said third roller to loop the sheet to effect a parallel fold. and a second knife. folder mechanism receiving said signature from said looper mechanism.

10. In a folder, the combination of knife and loop fold mechanisms for performing jobbing and catalogue work comprising a knife folder, a looper mechanism associated therewith for making a parallel fold, a knife folder arranged at right angles to the looper mechanism and receiving the signature therefrom. means for rendering said looper mechanism inoperative, and means for changing the timing relation of the parts dependent upon whether jobbing or catalogue work is being performed.

' 11. In a folder, the combination of knife and loop fold mechanisms for performing jobbing and catalogue work comprising a a looper mechanism associated therewith for making a parallel fold, a knife folder arranged at right angles to the looper mechanism and receiving the signature therefrom, means for rendering said looper mechanism inoperative, and means for changing the timing of the devices associated with the first fold mechanism when catalogue work is being performed.

12. In a folder, the combination of knife and loop fold mechanisms for performing jabbing and catalogue work co1nprising--a knife folder, :1 looper mechanism associated therewith for making a parallel fold, a knife folder arranged at right angles to the looper mechanism and receiving the signature therefrom, means for rendering said looper mechanism inoperative. a two-part cam shaft, and means for angularly adjusting one part with respect to the other.

13. In a folder, the combination of knife and loop fold mechanisms for performing jobbing and catalogue work comprising a knife folder, a looper mechanism associated therewith for making a parallel fold, a knife folder arranged at right angles to the looper n'iechanism and receiving the signature therc from, a plurality of deflecting members for rendering said looper mechanism inoperative, and a master member controlling the movement of said other deflecting members.

1-1. In a folding machine, a looper mechanism comprising two grid members each compot'ed of a plurality of separate independent grid elements, and means for adjusting said elements with respect to each other.

15. In a folding machine, a looper mechanism comprising two grid members each composed of a plurality of separate independent curved grid elements, and means for adjusting said elements with respect to each other.

16. In a folding machine, a looper mechanism comprisin grid elements the contact surface of whic h decreases from the point where the sheet enters the looper mechanism.

17. In a folding machine, a looper mechanism composed of a plurality of separable and removable curved grid elements the surface of which grid elements that is engaged by the sheet progressively decreasing from the point where the sheet enters the looper mechanism.

18. In a folding machine, a looper mechanisln having lower curved grid members of different lengths and an upper grid member similarly curved.

19. In a folding machine, a looper mechanism composed of a plurality of separable curved lower grid members, and a plurality of separable curved upper grid members.

:20. In a folding machine, a looper mechanism having a grid member of substantial sheet-engaging area at the point where the sheet enters the looper and diminishing to a substantial smaller sheet-engaging surface.

21. In a folding machine, a looper mechanism composed of a plurality of lower curved grid elements, a plurality of upper curved grid elements, and a plurality of individual deflector elements spaced between each pair of upper and lower grid elements.

22. In a folding machine, a looper mechanism made up of a plurality of separable grid elements and a plurality of removable deflector elements, and means for adjusting the deflector elements into operative or inoperative position while in situ.

23. In a folding machine, a looper mechanism made up of a plurality of separable grid elements and a plurality of removable dcflector elements, means for adjusting the deflector elements into operatigvefil inoperative position while in situ, and means for locking said deflector elements either in or out of operative position.

24. In a folding machine, a looper mechanism provided with a grid, a plurality of 15 mounted below and with its axis arranged in deflector elements associated with said grid, and a master member for controlling the positioning of said deflector elements.

25. In a folding machine, the combination of a looper mechanism, a. plurality of deflector elements associated therewith, a shaft on which said deflector elements are mounted, an

arm secured to said shaft, and an operatin connection controlling the movement of sai arm.

26. In a folding machine, the combination of a pair of first-fold rollers mounted out of contact with each other and spaced apart a distance less than the thickness of the sheet passing thcrebetween, and a third-fold roller 7 acute angle.

27 In a fol machine, the combination of a set of firstold rollers, a third roller associated with and arran ed below one of 80 said first-fold rollers a per orator and a roll coo rating therewith, and means feeding the fol ed sheet from said. third roller to said perforator, saidperforator being arranged above its associated roller.

28. In a folder, the combination. of a first fold reciprocating knife and a pair of folding rollers, a third roller associated with one of a said rollers, and a rid positioned adjacent said third roller to cop the sheet e'fiectia parallel fold.

29. In a foldin machine, the combination of a first fold kni e, a pair of folding rollers associated therewith, a third roller associated with one of said knife folding rollers through which the sheet is 100 a fourth roller independent of said folding and looping rollers, a succeeding folding mechanism,

and tapes passin around said fourth roller and ca ing the olded sheet tosaid succeedin folding mechanism.

testimony whereof I have signed this specifi' cation. p EARL D. 

